New England Patriots 4 Downs: Week 8 versus Cleveland Browns

The undefeated New England Patriots welcome the 2-4 Cleveland Browns to Gillette Stadium for a 4:25 pm EST game late Sunday afternoon.

The New England Patriots will finish Week 8 in the NFL season with a game against a talented Cleveland Browns team led by second-year quarterback Baker Mayfield and his group of talented wide receivers. The Patriots are coming off a 33-0 demolition of the Jets, while the Browns had their bye week and extra time to prepare for the top team in the AFC.

The New England Patriots are at a disadvantage once again due to a short week between games. Here’s what head coach Bill Belichick said in his press conference on Friday, via the Patriots’ official website:

"“This week’s gone quickly for us. Short week. I think the players have done a good job, though, of moving past the Monday night game and getting onto the Browns. We’ve still got a lot of work to do, but I think we’re gaining on it.”"

Despite having a 2-4 record, the Browns are still a talented team… including Mayfield, receivers Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry, as well as running back Nick Chubb. They are a young and hungry team looking for a win at the Patriots expense.

A win at Gillette Stadium would be huge for Cleveland, but this is the New England Patriots we are talking about… the same New England Patriots that have been decimating opponents for seven weeks and sit atop the AFC and the AFC East.

Here are 4 keys, or “4 Downs,” to observe today.